High performance suspension
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Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,362
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From: Hendersonville, NC
High performance suspension
I have searched and searched and searched for this, only to no avail...
So I figured it is time to pick the forum's brain here
I want a high performance suspension setup- I'm not looking for a lift (I want to keep stock ride height) and I'm not looking for a 4-link drag setup.
Does anyone know of any companies that carry any sort of high performance-handling suspenion setup for a 4x4 Ford SD? ANY sort of related ideas are welcome...I'm simply looking for any COMPLETE setup package to increase the road bite and handling of my truck. I'm not looking for a sway bar or airbags, but a complete front and rear suspension setup. I know that Skyjacker makes a complete front coilover suspension, but they do not offer one in stock ride height (for obvious reasons).
I need to eliminate some body roll, increase high speed stability and handling characteristics, and generally increase overall road grip. I don't honestly care about the ride, but the better the better
Anyone's input and experience with anything of the sort is welcome.
So I figured it is time to pick the forum's brain here
I want a high performance suspension setup- I'm not looking for a lift (I want to keep stock ride height) and I'm not looking for a 4-link drag setup.
Does anyone know of any companies that carry any sort of high performance-handling suspenion setup for a 4x4 Ford SD? ANY sort of related ideas are welcome...I'm simply looking for any COMPLETE setup package to increase the road bite and handling of my truck. I'm not looking for a sway bar or airbags, but a complete front and rear suspension setup. I know that Skyjacker makes a complete front coilover suspension, but they do not offer one in stock ride height (for obvious reasons).
I need to eliminate some body roll, increase high speed stability and handling characteristics, and generally increase overall road grip. I don't honestly care about the ride, but the better the better
Anyone's input and experience with anything of the sort is welcome.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,362
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From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by tn mac
MATT one thing you can do is go to larger wheels and tires with less sidewall ,plus some after market shocks and you will be amazed. good luck.
I have a set of Rancho RSX self-adjusting shocks, and they helped with body roll alot, but for my application I really don't feel that the 4-wheel leaf-sprung, solid axle suspension is going to cut it.
I am *hoping* I can find something similar to Praxis's self-adaptive, computer controlled ride height/suspension tuning setup, but I am doubtful I will ever find anything of the sort for a 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup. I can't even imagine what it would cost to have such a thing fabricated
I will need the tires and wheels any way I go; I don't feel very safe with these S-speed rated Bridgestone Duelers on top end runs any more.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 552
Likes: 2
From: Midland, TX
I wonder how hard it would be to have a axle flip kit fab'd up? That would drop your truck just a bit, I know you want stock height but going that fast you need to get that thing on the ground. Plus how tall those trucks are it would nearly elimnate body sway, I think those with 20"s and low pros you wouldn't have a problem sticking that thing to the ground. But there is a possibility you could get the "RICE" label, but you gotta do what you gotta do if you wanna stay alive.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by Todder
I wonder how hard it would be to have a axle flip kit fab'd up? That would drop your truck just a bit, I know you want stock height but going that fast you need to get that thing on the ground. Plus how tall those trucks are it would nearly elimnate body sway, I think those with 20"s and low pros you wouldn't have a problem sticking that thing to the ground. But there is a possibility you could get the "RICE" label, but you gotta do what you gotta do if you wanna stay alive.
The newest, computer controlled Praxis suspension systems for the BMW's and Subarus have controllable ride heights; IF I could come up with something of the sort, I wouldn't have to worry about it, but like I said, the chances of this happening are slim...
Now that you mention axle flip, I may have an idea. I think if you were to flip the axles and install airbags on all 4 wheels, you could inflate them to raise the height back up to a stock-ish level, and simply dump the pressure to lower the vehicle...
I really do loathe the idea of lowering the truck, but I am really pushing the aerodynamic limits of this thing the way it sits, and I prefer to live a few more years
So let me get some theoretical opinions on this- how much of an effect would stiffer springs, an axle flip, airbags, lower profile tires and wheels, and an air dam up front have on overall handling and high speed stability?
(BTW, I am cringing deep down inside right now
)
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 552
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From: Midland, TX
If your gonna have that thing blazing up and down the strip and flying around town. I wouldn't worry about stock height, sit that puppy on the ground. But I know what your saying a F-250 lowered might look like its from the south.
The adjustable height would be tough to do with leaf springs. If you were to link the truck then maybe but you already said no to that.
The adjustable height would be tough to do with leaf springs. If you were to link the truck then maybe but you already said no to that.
Last edited by Todder; Dec 5, 2004 at 09:02 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Utopia
In the larger rim diameters, it will be easier to find a higher rated speed tire. H is good to 130, but you need to worry about load range as well...this will be tricky. The wider tires will give you more grip and more weight and more rolling resistence, but in your application I don't think it will matter to much.
An airbag suspension might work the best for you. Unequalled ride quality and lift height is adjustable. Lowering your center of gravity will help the handling the most, and lowering ride height will probably lower your COD a bit...bottom line is you will still be driving an aerodynamic wall. Thats what the chipped PSD with propane/water injection is for.
An airbag suspension might work the best for you. Unequalled ride quality and lift height is adjustable. Lowering your center of gravity will help the handling the most, and lowering ride height will probably lower your COD a bit...bottom line is you will still be driving an aerodynamic wall. Thats what the chipped PSD with propane/water injection is for.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 255
Likes: 6
From: San Mateo, CA
I remember watching the TV show Trucks and remember Stacy installing a suspension on a truck (Im not sure which one) that converted the rear suspension to a 3 link setup and a 4 link in front with airbags that allow you to raise and lower the truck. It was a really trick set up, it went from lifted to lowered. I would love something like that so I could have my lift and be able to drop it to load my bikes and stuff. I'll see if I can find out the company that makes it and post it.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
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From: Melbourne, Aus
I know a few guys here that have had coil and air bag conversions to their vehicle done to improve handling, and load carrying capability (it just improves the ridde height under load).
Slightly softer coil springs are installed, the coil springs work with no load, once a payload is placed on the vehicle the air bag is pumped up by the user, to retain stock ride height.
The conversion appears to be very effective on the vehicles I have driven.
To improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle, you are simply going to have to lower the vehicle as much as possible, to minimise flow of air under the truck, and therefore minimise "lift" at speeds.
I had a carbon fibre flat tray underbody built for my car from the engine back, and I had a couple of carbon fibre air scoops installed under the engine, to lift some of the air travelling under my car up into the engine bay, this had a couple of possitive effects:
Slightly softer coil springs are installed, the coil springs work with no load, once a payload is placed on the vehicle the air bag is pumped up by the user, to retain stock ride height.
The conversion appears to be very effective on the vehicles I have driven.
To improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle, you are simply going to have to lower the vehicle as much as possible, to minimise flow of air under the truck, and therefore minimise "lift" at speeds.
I had a carbon fibre flat tray underbody built for my car from the engine back, and I had a couple of carbon fibre air scoops installed under the engine, to lift some of the air travelling under my car up into the engine bay, this had a couple of possitive effects:
- cooler engine temperatures (high speed cold air was flowing around the engine) - this also had the improvement of better engine performance at higher speeds
- The "scoops" were able to minimise air flowing under the vehicle, reducing the "lift"
- They also acted like a front mounted spoiler, and reducing the front of vehicle "lift" I was seeing previously (quite hairy when you are doing over 180mph, and the front of the vehicle takes a mind of its own...)
- Effectively made the engine have a flat under tray, as directing the air up into the engine bay meant that it was at a "higher pressure" than the surrounding air, creating a high pressure area, which reduced turbulence around the engine